Oman invites Indian tourists

Mumbai, Jan 24 (IANS) The Sultanate of Oman held a roadshow here Monday to attract Indian tourists, showcasing its infrastructure, accessibility and friendly visa facilities.Besides tourism, the roadshow also focussed on increasing business opportunities between India and Sultanate of Oman, said Lubaina Sheerazi, the Gulf country’s India representative.

“Presently, the traffic between the two countries mainly comprises visiting friends and relatives and those travelling for employment. Through these roadshows, we intend to develop tourism between the two countries and accelerate on marketing Oman as an ideal holiday destination,” Sheerazi told media persons Monday afternoon.

The roadshow travelled from Bangalore (Jan 20) and Chennai (Jan 21) to Mumbai, and will go to New Delhi Tuesday, she said.

Approximately two and a half hour’s journey by air from Mumbai, Oman is the ideal short haul destination for an idyllic break, she said.

She added that Oman had a lot to offer in terms of culture, scenic beauty and products targeted at the niche, evolved traveller.

Oman’s ministry of tourism aims to promote the country through its easy accessibility, state-of-art infrastructure and friendly visa facilities for leisure and corporate travel blended.

The country’s Director General of Tourism Promotion Salim Bin Adey Al-Mamari said the country offered diverse landscapes from dry valleys to green oases, mountains to aquamarine seas.

“Besides the capital Muscat, the other important cities include Nizwa with its magnificent forts and souks, Sur, a sea coast with traditional dwellings, Masirah Island and Daymaniyat Islands for water sports, Salalah with its tumbling waterfalls, meandering streams, craggy cliffs and plunging coast of Musandam,” Al-Mamari said.

The country also has Unesco World Heritage sites like the Bahla Fort, archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn, Aflaj irrigation systems, plus a mix of snazzy shopping malls and quaint traditional souks, he added.

“We are placing significant emphasis on strengthening our relationship with the trade while positioning Oman as a leisure and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destination among Indian travellers,” said Khalid Al Zadjali, director of tourism events said.

The ministry has a strong promotional program in place for 2011, highlighting the various facets of the destination through media publicity, promotions and trade shows on a pan-India basis.

Oman Air’s north India country manager Dimuthu Tennakoon said that the country is well-connected by Oman Air, Jet Airways, Air India and Indian Airlines.

“With 76 direct flights a week operating from 10 different hubs in India, Oman Air has an excellent connectivity to the various regions in India. We believe that the proximity to India makes Oman a natural choice for a perfect break,” Tennakoon said.